Vacuum cleaner



Dec. 6, 1932.' A. ERxKssoN-JoNs Y 1,890,233

VACUUM CLEANER ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 1932 T ELECTROLUX CORPORATION;

vacuum y panama anni` :une 11,1931, serial m.

My invention relates to vacuum cleaners and particularly to portable vacuum cleaners driven b an electric motor..

One o the principal objects of myl inven tion is the' rovision of a compact vacuum cleaner of t e verticalv type. This I accomplishby providing an annular dust receiving vreceptacle of im ermeable material, the lower portion of whic surroundsfthe electric motor. The dust drawn into the receptacle settles in this lower portion or pocket, while vthe upper larger portion of the receptacle causes the velocity of the dust laden air to decrease and hence much of the dust may be precipitated.' This air is admitted near the lower part of the up larger portion and travelsupwardly an through a dust separating member which intercepts all dust which 4has 'not been precipitatedduring the travel of the air from thev inlet to the separator. The air, after having passed through the sepai -rator,fis ledy downwardly through the centralpassageway formed by the yannular receptacle and passes-around 4the the electric motor, thus cooling the latter.

The fact that the dust separating member :is at the top of the receptacle so that the air passes upwardly through it coupled with the fact that much of the dust is precipitated before it reaches the separator prevents the latter from becoming clogged with dust.

There is thus provided a highlyeiiicient vacuum cleaner. The arrangement of the motor within the passageway formedby the annular receptacle results in a dust receiving receptacle of maximum size vfor a cleaner 'ofY given size, or, to express it another way, the cleaner is very' compact.

Further ob3ects and advantages will be apparent from the following description con-` sidered'in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, which forms a part of'this specica-tion and which is a sideview, chiefly in crosssection, ofa' vacuum cleaner constructed inaccordance with my invention.

'Referring to the drawing, reference characterrlO designates an annular ring which servesl as a base. Ring is supported by a caster 11 and a -pair of small wheelsyone of which is shown at 12. Supported above anmaterial of the wall back on itself an EBIKSSOR-JONS, OF STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, .ASSIGN0R,I BY MESNE ASSIGNKENTS,-

A coarom'r-ION or DELAWARE 541,575, and in Germany 'rune 14, 1930.

nular ring 10 by means of a cylindrical partition 13 and spindles 14 is a motor supporting member 15. Member 15 comprises an outer annular portion 16 which is secured to partition 13 and spindles 14 and an inner portion 17 -to which is secured a verticall posed electric motor 18 by means of bol' The central portion of member 15 is provided with a circular aperture 20 through which extends the lower end of motor shaft 21,.- Secured to shaft 21 is a two stage centrifugal fan 22 comprising rotors 23 and 24. l A pardists 19.

tition 425 is provided between rotors 23 and 'l 24 and is supported by member 15. A closure member 26 is located below fan 22 and is supported by member 10.

A' '-ylindric'al member 27 provided at the top with an annular ange 28-is supported by the annular portion 16 of member 1 5. Cy-

pling 32 is provided in cylindrical member 27 inv alignment with opening 31. A closure member 33 comprising aspring actuated flap normally closel this. outlet.

` Motor 18 is preferably .of the enclosed type and is provided with a series of axially extending ns .34 in order to increase the'heat' radiating surface ofthe motor housing.

v Secured to the annular ring portion 28 of issecured, to outlet coupling 32 and serves to member- 27 is an annular member 35 pro# vided. at its outer circumference with an upturned 'lip 36.- Member 35 is adapted to receivethe lower part of an annular dust receiving lreceptacle 37. Receptacle 37 comprises a cylindrical o'uter wall 38 of' impermeable material, the lower'part of which ter. minates in a ring`39 formedby bendm `the taining itin this position by means of rivets 40. The material is lso shaped as to provide a bottom portion 41 for the receptacle and a portion 42 of a central passageway through the annular receptacle in which is located motor 18. A dome shaped member 43 is secured to the upper edge of portionl 42 and completes the motor chamber. A conduit 44 is secured tothe upper part of member 43 Y f and extends vertically through the dust re- E ceiver, it being provided with a ianged upper end 45. The upper end of c lmdrical wall 38 dust separator 47 L of the cover member.

is likewise flanged at 46. n lannular packing secured -to member 35 bears against bottom portion 41 when receptacle 37 is in place and prevents the passage therebetween of air.

A dust separator 47 comprises a piece of suitable cloth 48 of circular form with an opening in the center'thereof. A packing' with flange 45 on conduit 44. Cover 51 is re-l tained in place by means of catches 54. Catch 54 comprises a cylindrical member 55 secured to an arm 56 which is attached to the cover member. Extending through member 54 is a rod 57 provided with a hook-shaped lower end 58 and a head 59. A spring 60 is retained between'head 59 and member 54 and serves to raise rod 57 and cause hook-shaped portion 58 to engage flange 46, thus holding the cover in position on the receptacle. A iandle 62 is secured to the cylindrical mem-v It will be seen that ldust receivingreceptacle 37 comprises two portions, a lower narrow portion or pocket 66 and an upper wld portion 67.y f An air and dust #inlet coupling 61 is placed in wall 38 at such an elevation as to bein the lower part of the upper wide portion 67 and a substantial distance below In operation motor 1.8 rotatescentrifugal fan 22 and causes a current of air tol pass through inlet 61 into dust-receiver 37 'from' whence the air passes through dust separator 47 into the space within cover member 51.- From here the air passes through conduit 44 into the chamber surrounding'motor 18 'and' passes in contact with fins 34- on the motor. After passing in contact with the motor, the air passes through-o ening 20 in member 15 to the fan 2.2. The air discharged from rotor 24 of the fan passes intoannular chamber 30A and through opening 31 into annular charnber 29 from whence it is discharged through the'opening 63 in member 27 A I When the device is used as a vacuum cleaner a suitable hose is secured in inlet open- 61, the other end of thehose being pro-y Vinpocket 66. The air' passes in a generally upwardly direction towards dust separator 47 which allows still more dust to be precipitated. As the air passes through sepa-rator 47 the remaining dust is separated from the air. Due to the fact that the separator is in a horizontal position, only a thin film of dust will be held thereon during operation of the cleaner and that will fall to the bottom of the receptacle when the fan is stopped. Hence, the separator can never get clogged with dust.

When it is desired to empty the dust from receptacle 37, cover 51 is removed by releas ing catches 54. Dust separator 47 may then be removed. Receptacle 37 may be lifted off the base portion by exerting a vertical force, preferably on handle 62, as tli'e receptacle is releasably held in position by the engagement of ring 39 withlip 36. The receptacle, now freed of the weightl of the motor and base, may be easily turned over and the dirt contained therein dumped out. v

If it is desired to use the device as a blower, cover 51 is preferably removed in order that air may be drawn directly into the upper end of conduit 44 without having to pass through dust separator 47. Closure member 33 is opened and a hosenozzle, shown in dotted lines at 64, is placed -in coupling member 32. Nozzle'zzfifl extends through annular chamber 29' vai'd' engages opening 31in partition 13. All-v the air discharged from fan 22 into chamber 30 must therefore pass through nozzle 64 and none of this air can enter annular chamber 29.

It will thus be seenthat I have provided a very compact vacuum cleaner.- The space surrounding the motor is utilized as a dust collecting chamber. All of the air passing through the cleaner is caused to pass'in contact with the electric motor in order to cool l the latter. The arrangement ofthe dust sep/ arator in a horizontal position .at the top of the dust collecting chamber assures that this separator will not become seriously clogged als with dirt during'the operation of the vacuuln cleaner. If the dust separator were to'become clogged it not ,only would reduce the suction produced by the vacuum cleaner but it would cause the electric motor to become overheated due to the fact that lessair for .y

fis

be understood that Iam not to be thereby but that the ,scope of my invention is- ,to be determined by the appended claims 1. In a vacuum cleaner, a base, a fan unit comprising an electric motor andl a fan having an air outlet mounted on said base, a dust receiving member having. an air inlet supported on said base, said member comprising an annular receptacle formed by an outer impermeable wall and an inner impermeable wall, said walls being joined together to form the bottom of said receptacle, said inner wall forming ,a central passageway through said receptacle of varying cross-sectional area, be-

ing larger at the bottom than at the top, thev lowerportion of said inner wall forming av motor chamber for housing said motor, a dust separator comprising the top of said receptacle and a cover member forming together with said dust separator a chamber,said passageway being in communication with said chamber so that rotation of said fan induces a current of air through said inlet into said receptacle and through said dust separating member into said chamber and through said passageway in contact with said motorto said fan from whence it is discharged through said outlet. Y Y

2.' In a vacuum cleaner, a base, a fan'unit comprising an electric motor anda fan having'an air, outlet mounted on said base, a dust receiving member having an air inlet supported on said base, said member comprising an annular receptacle formed by anl outer impermeable wall and an inner impermeable wall, said walls being joined together to form the bottom of said receptacle, said inner wall forming a central passageway through said receptacle of varying cross-sectional area, 'said receptacle having a wide uper portion and a narrow lower portion, sai inlet being positioned near the bottom of said wide upper portion, the lower portion of said inner said motor, a dust separator comprising the top of said receptacle, and a cover member forming together with said dust separator a chamber, said passageway being'incommunication with said chamber so that rotation `of said fan induces a currentro'f dust laden airL throu h said inlet into the wide upper portion o said receptacle where its velocity is relower portion, the air thence passing through said dust separator, said chambr vand said passageway and in contact with said-motor to said fan from whence it is discharged throu h said outlet. s

3. Ign a vacuum cleaner, lan annular dust receiving receptacle formed with a central passageway therethrough, said passageway being larger at the bottom than at the top C; whereby said receptacle comprises a wide wall forming a motor chamber for housing duced anddust is precipitated to said narrow npperiporton and a-narrow lower portion means for admitting dust laden air to sai wide up er portion, a dust separator com.-

` prising t e top of said rece tacle, means for conducting air from said ust separator to the upper end of said passageway, an electric Y motor in the lower-part of said passageway and a fan operatively connected to said motorfor inducing a current of dustladen air into the wide upper portion of said receptacle Yreceptacle at a point near the bottom of said where its velocity isA reducedv and dust is precipitated to said narrow lower portion, the air thence passing through said dust separa'- tor to said passa eway and in contact with said motor to sai fan.` Y

4. In a vacuum cleaner, a base, a motor supported on said base, a fan member below said motor and connected thereto to be driven thereby, a dust receiving receptacle comprising impermeable inner and outer walls and closed at the bottom and open at the top and fitting' around and over said -motor and j Yada ted to rest on said base, said receptacle having a central passageway, said passageway being of relatively reduced cross-sectional area above said motonand relatively I large cross-sectional area around said motor', the receptacle having -a wide dust-receiving space above the motor and a relativelypnarrow space around the motor, a dustseparator at the top of said receptacle, and anl air inlet in said receptacle below said dust separator, whereby, on rotation of said fan, air enters the receptacle and dust is precipitated downwardly to the space around the motor while the air passes upwardly through the dust separator, downwardly through said vcentral assageway, over the 4motor and through the 5L In a vacuum cleaner, a base, a motor supported on said base, a fan member below f said motor and connected thereto to be driven thereby, a dust receiving receptacle compris'- 'i ing impermeable inner and outer walls and closed at the bottom and open at the top and fitting around and` over said motor, means for releasablyv holdingl said receptacle on saidbase, said receptacle having a` centrall passageway, said passageway being of relyatively reduced cross-sectional area 4above motor, a dust separator at the to of said receptacle, 'and an air inlet in sai receptacle below` said dust separator, whereby, on ro-l tationof said fan, air enters the receptable vand dust is (precipitated downwardly to the space aroun the motor while-the'air asses 4upwardly through the dust separator,4 ownthrough said central passageway, Y f

wardlyl over t e motor and through the :|an. y ,f 6; In a vacuum cleaner, a base, a motor i sup orted on said base, a fan member below -sa-1 motor and connected thereto to be driven thereby, said base having an outlet chamber `land relatively large cross-sectional area around said motor, the receptacle having ay wide dust receiving space above the motor and a relatively narrow spacearound the mo-4 tor, a dust separator at the top of said receptacle, lan air inlet in said receptacle below said dust separator, and packing betweensaid base and said receptacle, lwhereby, on rotation of-said fan, airl enters the receptacle and dust is precipitated downwardly to the space around the motor while theair passes upwardly through the dust separator, down-` wardly through said central passageway,

v over the motor, through said fan and into said outlet chamber. A v

7. In a vacuum cleaner, a base, a motor supported on said base, a fau' member below adapted to rest on saidI base, said receptacle having a central passagewa said passageway 4being of relatively re uced cross-sec` said motor and connected thereto to be driv,

en thereby, a dust receiving receptacle comprising impermeable inner and` outer walls and closed at the bottom and open atA the top andtting around and over saidmotor and tional area` above said motor and relatively large cross-sectional arca around said motor, the receptacle having a wide dust receiving space above the motor and a relatively narrow space around -the motor, a dust separator i for holding said dust separator in place, and.

at the to of said receptacle, resilient means an air inlet in said receptacle below said dust separator, whereby, on rotation of said fan,

air enters the receptacle andl dust is preci itat-ed .downwardly to t-he spacearound t e- A I `motor while the a1r' asses upwardly through the dust separator, ownwardly through Said Y central passageway, 'over the motor and through the fan. v

tated .downwardly to the space around the v motor while the air asses upwardly through the dust separator, ownwardly through said central passageway, over the motor land throu h the fan. A

9; vacuum cleaner comprising a dust collecting receptacle having impermeable walls and having a passageway extendin through the same, a vmotor within a parto said passageway, a fan connected to Abe driven by said motor to draw air through said passageway, said motor being disposed on the suction side of -said fan,lmeans to admit dust-laden air to said receptacle, means for directing air from within said receptacle to .said passageway, and a dust separator in the path of air leaving said receptacle, the rounding sai of dust. i

10.' A' vacuum' cleaner comprising a. dust collecting `receptacle having impermeable Walls and having a conduit extendin through the same, a motorY within a part o said conduit, a lfan ,connected tobealrijven by said motor`to draw air throuighl'said conduit, means to admit air to'sa-i receptacle, a cover removably securedto said /receptacle ,and serving to direct air from within saidv receptacle to said conduit, a dust separator between said receptacle and said cover, and resilient means for holding said dust separator against said conduit;

motor ,serving/for collection .11.A vacuum cleaner cor'prising a 'dust' collectingreceptacle havin impermeable walls and having a passage ay extending through` the same, a motor within a part of said passageway, a fan connected to be driven by said motor to produce flow of air through said passageway, means to admit dust-laden air to said receptacle, means for directing air from within said receptacle to said'pas- .sagewa-y, and a dust separator in the path of air leavin saidreceptacle, the portion of' said receptac e surrounding said motor serv in forcpllectionof dust. v t

n testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my ,signatureq A c ANDERS ERIKSSON-JONSV.-

8. A vacuum cleaner comprising` a'base, j a motor supported on said base, a fan member below said motor and connected thereto to be driven thereby, an enclosure com' rising impermeable inner and outer walls an form-l ing a dust receiving receptacle and a central passageway, said receptacle being closed at. the bottom androgen at the top, said motor being disposedfiasaid assaeway whereby said receptacle surroun s sai motor, a dust separator at the topof said receptacle, andan. .t airinlet in said receptacle below'said dust Y,

separator', whereby, on rotationv of vs aitlfan, a1r enters the receptacle and dust is precipi (portion of said receptacle sury 

